First Hose and Drogue Refuelling Flight with KC-46 Tanker

First Hose and Drogue Refuelling Flight with KC-46 Tanker

15 Feb 2016

A combined Boeing/U.S. Air Force aircrew aboard the KC-46 tanker successfully refueled an F/A-18 aircraft in flight February 10th

EVERETT, Wash., Feb. 12, 2016 - The air refueling was the
program's first using the KC-46's hose and drogue system. During
the 4+hour flight, the tanker's air refueling operator smoothly
transferred fuel to the F/A-18 flying at 20,000 feet.

The KC-46 will refuel U.S., allied and coalition military
aircraft using both its boom and hose and drogue systems. The boom
allows the tanker to transfer up to 1,200 gallons of fuel per
minute, while the plane's hose and drogue systems, located on both
the plane's wing and centerline, enables the KC-46 to refuel
smaller aircraft such as the F/A-18 with up to 400 gallons of fuel
per minute.

On January 24, the KC-46 refueled an F-16 fighter using its air
refueling boom. The refueling flights are part of the program's
Milestone C demonstration, which will lead to a low-rate initial
production decision later this year.